C. BUCHIVENKATA RAO vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

The Supreme Court ruled that the rejection of B's mining lease application was valid as V had a prior claim. The Court held that defects in V's application, such as lack of a map and details, did not invalidate it under Rule 27 of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1949, as these requirements are directory, not mandatory. Furthermore, the Court clarified that upon the death of an applicant, their legal representatives cannot continue the application; a fresh application must be submitted by the heirs to pursue the mining lease.